‘Equinox’, painted in the week after we attended the Spring Equinox Fire Circle at the Roundhouse Haven in Stoke Albany. We hadn’t been there before or attended an event like this so I was very interested to see what it was like.
Andrea was our host. We have worked alongside her for our ‘Emotions in Motion’ workshops at The Little Explorers Activity Club and Iris was keen to hear her voice again and her drum. It was a great evening around the fire singing songs to celebrate life and the longer days. While we all sang I noticed Iris’s nervous cough that had developed last month disappeared. Her concentration and mind was focused on her breathing, the beat and voice.
Many would think it seems an odd activity for a person who struggles with speech but music somehow makes those pathways free. There wasn’t a set structure apart from the warm up where we connected to the energy points in our body, referred to as Chakras. Mostly it was about freeing your voice and feeling the sounds and moving with it.
The experience has opened up new ideas in my mind about how to use our voices and acoustic healing, how we can integrate it within our days to calm Iris’s nervous system. To me it feels like it can be something to help re-balance, to release tension and to energise.
Giclee Prints by Iris Grace
Here is an example of ‘Equinox’ mounted and framed.
We also have the Original for sale so please do get in touch if you would like info on price and delivery. Email – irisgracepainting@yahoo.com
This is a huge topic to fit in 1 blog but I’m going to give it a go. Based upon our experiences with anxiety, meltdowns and autism with Iris but I hear from speaking with others on the spectrum it will apply to many so hopefully sharing will help.
Managing Anxiety & Meltdowns on the Spectrum
It isn’t that being autistic means straight away Iris has anxiety or a behavioural disorder, but it can be a by-product of her complex set of processing differences. We can lower anxiety by understanding the causes behind it.
It is not possible to separate the autistic processing differences from Iris.
You cannot ‘cure’ her from this. It is how she functions, how her brain is wired in its own unique way. It can be overly active, acutely sensitive and have underdeveloped pathways to different areas but also overdeveloped scattered connections too. I’m not sure I will ever know exactly why but I do know there is an effective and productive way forwards. We can aid and support, live a happier healthier life.
We can reduce anxiety therefore lowering the likelihood of meltdowns & shutdowns.
I regularly assess Iris’s unique ways of perceiving and processing the world and create plans to support her through her sensory, cognitive, social, and emotional struggles.
What can cause a Meltdown/Shutdown?
Try to imagine a meltdown or shutdown like the lightning in the storm, before this happens there is a build-up, clouds gather, there is a change in the air. Many components come together to create a storm and this is the same with a Meltdown or shutdown.
It is hardly ever one trigger, more like an ever changing, morphing set of moving clouds. We need to look at the whole picture and all of the elements – triggers. These can also be amplified when you factor in insomnia or communication difficulties. A meltdown is when the bodies stress chemicals have got to extreme levels, the “fight or flight” reaction sets in. A lightning bolt – immediate release of these chemicals. A shutdown on the other hand is like the opposite, it’s a protective mode to manage the stress chemicals getting too high. Both are signs of extreme distress and should never be looked upon as a tantrum or to be ashamed of.
What can we do to help with anxiety and Meltdowns
A few examples:
Sensory Issues
Too noisy – ear defenders or ear plugs, move to a quiet area, turn lights and electronics off
Sensitivity to light – turns lights off, sunglasses on outside or in the car.
Feelings within the body – deep pressure, massage can disperse the stress chemical build up
Smells from cooking – open windows
Cluttered space – tidy up, keep things in order and clean space
Too hot/cold – help change clothing, open windows…adjust temp
Uncomfortable clothing – try using soft cotton clothing, no labels, good fit
Out of control
Not knowing what is happening next or how long an activity will go on for – make a clear plan, break down into small stages
Try adding in more closed loop activities with a clear start and finish in one session.
Being told what to do – give choices
Needing independence – teach life skills in manageable stages
Stressed in new situations – prepare before with social stories, looking at websites, google maps…
Changes of plan – give a clear new plan to refer to
Social Demands
Social Demands and Pressure – Give time and more time. Socialising is exhausting for someone who is autistic. Reduce pressure where possible.
Triggers – observe what is triggering them and try to reduce those parts or help them manage the triggers so that it will help settle the clouds brewing.
For every person on the spectrum what helps them through their anxiety and what calms the storm in a meltdown will be different. I’m afraid its very often a case of trial and error to work it out. Start with observing what naturally works, what are they drawn to as they calm down. Create a ‘Happy Basket’ of sensory items and things that help them and you through the tough times or in the recovery stage after a meltdown. Iris’s basket includes sensory putty, a song book journal with the lyrics of all of her favourite songs, fabric that feels like Luna her rabbit, perfumed moisteriser, song list from Spotify, photo journal of activities and outings we have done. They are all items to calm, to transport Iris into a different frame of mind.
Work out if they need more clarity in the plan for the day. Maybe tasks need to be broken down into bit size chunks. Sometimes a set protocol that works when they are feeling things going in the wrong direction can help. Create an emotional support plan that you can all work from.
Environment
At times the environment needs to change, the simple act of moving Iris into another space can shift and change the mood & emotions. One of the hardest challenges I have found is realising when the environment is literally human, it’s us, it’s me. How to handle that when it’s the people around you too, your family. Our words, our body language, our speech. Without realising it we are within the clouds gathering adding to the storm.
How we can make conversations easier
So this whizz stop tour comes to and end but I hope it’s the beginning of a journey to finding solutions that make life a little easier.
For more information please have a read of our e-booklet on The Little Explorers Activity Club website.
Please share in the comments any advice, thoughts and experiences you have had with this as a person on the spectrum or a parent, carer 😊
This weeks painting from our Market Harborough Artist is ‘Floating in the Midnight Sky’ painted onto canvas board with acrylics and chalk. 40cm x 40cm
Buying Iris’s Artwork
To find out details about the Original painting which is available or to order a giclee print please email Arabella at irisgracepainting@yahoo.com
Shipping
All print orders are shipped using tracked and signed delivery with Royal Mail. Iris’s Original paintings are packed in their own wooden crates and shipped via Pack & Send.
For the United Kingdom we have a flat rate of £14.00 covering postage, packing and insurance.
For the Rest of the World we use the following rate to cover postage, packing and insurance:
Orders up to £275: £30.00
Market Harborough Artist
Iris painting ‘Floating in the Midnight Sky’ with Thula by her side. We are very lucky to have such beautiful light in the garden room and it has become the perfect place for Iris to paint in our home near Market Harborough, Leicestershire. The picture below is an example of the painting mounted and framed. I love the soft pastels, it almost feels like lavender granite to me, like a mixture of smells, a touch of stone but with the fluid nature of water or a landscape seen from above. I can even see the movement of sand falling or dust in the air. Maybe it’s because I see what intrigues her, what delights and takes her attention into far away places. Sometimes I wonder what others can see. For everyone it’s a different experience.
One of the advantages I feel of discovering a love for art when you are young is that there are no boundaries, it’s all about fun, exploring textures and colour. How different materials react. As a young painter Iris isn’t set or fixed into a particular way of doing things and it is about the experience of doing that is therapeutic.
Here is her latest painting, ‘Over the mountains, over the sea’ painted onto canvas board with acrylics. 40cm x 40cm
This one reminds me of the Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh with it’s contrasting tones and dreamlike movement. I love how her artwork is developing and changing as she experiments and we see new ideas from this young painter.
To find out details about the Original painting which is available please email Arabella at irisgracepainting@yahoo.com or to see what other paintings are available click here
Sometimes it can be difficult to imagine what a piece of artwork will look like once it’s mounted and framed up on the wall. Would it be best positioned above a mantlepiece or your office desk? Maybe in the kitchen or living room? Iris and I have created some mock-ups for you to see, examples of her work in interiors to get your mind’s eye in the groove so you can easily start to picture her framed pieces up in your own home.
Using extremely ‘high end’ scan-back camera technology and daylight balanced lighting, we are able to create an incredibly accurate and detailed digital image from Iris’s Original Paintings.
Our colour management ensures consistency and guarantees the highest standards and quality of image. With the very latest in art printing technology with fully calibrated photo-scanning, processing and printing equipment, we pay fastidious attention to colour balancing to ensure extremely accurate reproduction.
The word Giclée (“g-clay”), is derived from the French verb gicler meaning “to squirt or spray”, Giclée, is used to describe a fine art digital printing process combining pigment based inks with high quality archival quality paper (Hahnemühle German Etching, 310 gsm) to achieve Giclée prints of superior archival quality, light fastness and stability.
Profits from the sales of her art go towards her therapies, education and future.
Sometimes it can be difficult to imagine what a piece of artwork will look like once it’s mounted and framed up on the wall. Especially when looking at the images of the paintings online. Iris’s art is all painted at home in East Farndon close to Market Harborough but we display her work on her website & online shop.
See Iris’s paintings from anywhere in the world not just in Market Harborough
This gives anyone from any location at any time the chance to view her collection. We do understand that it can be hard to work out if it would be best positioned above a mantlepiece or your office desk? Maybe in the kitchen or living room?
So Iris and I have created some mock-ups for you to see, examples of her work in interiors to get your mind’s eye in the groove so you can easily start to picture her framed pieces up in your own home.
Using extremely ‘high end’ scan-back camera technology and daylight balanced lighting, we are able to create an incredibly accurate and detailed digital image from Iris’s Original Paintings.
Using extremely ‘high end’ scan-back camera technology and daylight balanced lighting, we are able to create an incredibly accurate and detailed digital image. Our colour management ensures consistency and guarantees the highest standards and quality of image.
We pay fastidious attention to colour balancing to ensure extremely accurate reproduction. With the very latest in art printing technology with fully calibrated photo-scanning, processing and printing equipment.
The word Giclée (“g-clay”), is derived from the French verb gicler meaning “to squirt or spray”. Giclée, is used to describe a fine art digital printing process combining pigment based inks with high quality archival quality paper (Hahnemühle German Etching, 310 gsm) to achieve Giclée prints of superior archival quality, light fastness and stability.
Profits from the sales of her art go towards her therapies, education and future.
This week we have released Iris’s new painting called ‘Eyebrook’. It’s named after Eyebrook reservoir which is somewhere that has been a favourite of Iris’s lately.
The Printer uses the very latest in art printing technology with fully calibrated photo-scanning, processing and printing equipment, they pay fastidious attention to colour balancing to ensure extremely accurate reproduction. All of the profits raised from the sales of her prints go towards her ongoing therapies, education and some saved for her future.
The painting began with stomping elephants, lions and tigers on the prowl. Iris loved seeing the footprints in the paint and would look up at me pointing at each animal saying their name. She was inventing new ways to include her toys, making marks, shapes creating textures on the paper. Now and again I heard her say ‘tum, tum, tumpty tum,’ I thought at first it was to do with her trying to make elephant noises as she plodded his feet onto the paper but later on I realised what is was from. She has a book with a cd and we have also got her the app called My first Classical Music Book, it was open on the page called ‘People’, the people in this book were the composers, Brahms, Beethoven, Handel, Bach, Mozart, Adams, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. There is a cartoon drawing of a composer trying to write a piece of music saying ‘Tum Tum, Tumpty Tum, Tiddly Pom…’ Iris was doing the same as she painted singing along working on her piece. So I have named this one ‘Tumpty Tum’ it’s 55cm x 75cm, painted with watercolours and acrylics on watercolour paper. and a detail shot of the painting
If you are interested in a print of ‘Tumpty Tum’ please do email me, Arabella at irisgracepainting@yahoo.com We are offering free postage in July and here are the print prices 55cm x 75cm (same size as the original) – £127.00 ($217.93) 42cm x 56.5cm – £92.00 ($157.87) 33cm x 44.5cm – £57.00 ($97.81) 23cm x 31cm – £38.00 ($65.21) All of the profits raised from the sales of her prints go towards her ongoing therapies and some saved for her future.
I have made a photograph diary of this latest painting to show the variation in Iris’s techniques, how she explores different textures and colours in her kitchen art studio and out in the garden with her faithful assistant Thula.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six and Seven
Day Eight, the Finished Painting.
‘Spring Dance’ 55cm x 75cm
Detail section of the painting
This is a possible crop for a panoramic frame.
If you are interested in buying any of Iris’s Prints please email us at irisgracepainting@yahoo.com
The Printer uses the very latest in art printing technology with fully calibrated photo-scanning, processing and printing equipment, they pay fastidious attention to colour balancing to ensure extremely accurate reproduction.
Prints come with a certificate and will be sent out in a tube. Postage within the UK is £12.00 and £16.50 for International.
55cm x 75cm (same size as the original) – £127.00
42cm x 56.5cm – £92.00
33cm x 44.5cm – £57.00
23cm x 31cm – £38.00
Iris selects her new app on the iPad called ‘My first Orchestra,’ she quickly presses the violins section and then plays ‘Carmen Fantasy, Op.25’. As the violin twirls around like Carmen the Spanish Gypsy, Iris begins to paint once again on the painting that had been drying on the coffee table. The Painting before her is as flamboyant as the music, colours merge, she gently sponges off little pockets of paint creating intriguing effects. ‘V for Violin’, ‘V for Violin’ she says over and over again. The Violin has been used with varying success in the past, the intensity and strong emotional connections can sometimes be too overwhelming for her but now she seeks it out to hear it sing.
Holding a brush in each hand she paints, first a layer of red, dancing with a gypsy soul full of wanderlust. Blues and greens are next, a long utensil with a sponge on it’s tip is soaking, then with high flicks Iris creates pools of colour so close that her tummy almost touches the watery paint. Now with a different sponge and another brush she explores, finding new paths and making discoveries within the painting. Her spirit is free and her style her own, adding touches of yellow and finally when most of the painting is dry she uses the white. As I make a cup of tea in our kitchen come art studio I see her mix some of the colours left in the mugs. She doesn’t use them on the paper, this is for the joy of watching the colours change and the way they swirl and move, a contented happiness fills the room from this simple pleasure.
“Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all.” –
With springs in her feet she jumps, bounces and leaps for joy as she watches the rain, rivers, streams and fountains, intrigued by their movement and ever changing nature. Impressions in her mind that later can be seen on paper. A tremendous amount of tools and brushes lie before her, a collection that has slowly built over the last year. Thoughtfully picking out a few, Iris experiments with rolling, stamping, smudging, dabbing and carefully sponging the paint creating a beautiful effect. I am reminded of a rippling stream, you can almost hear it.
Iris Grace Painting 